IWRFC 52 v Streatham & Croydon 62 - 30/04/11

At sunny Wootton Rec, the Island came out second best against a touring side celebrating their 140th anniversary, in a high-scoring encounter. A dreadful start eventually proved decisive for the Island, though they took heart from a spirited comeback which threatened to overhaul the tourists.

Playing with a scratch side combining first and second teamers and several players out of position, the hosts were not at the races for the first 25 minutes. They turned over every ball they had, and were punished by an opposition boasting some powerful and speedy runners, both in their forward and back division. The IW trailed 35-0 before they finally got a foothold in the game.

Strong ball-carriers Jack Preston and Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Will Peters were at the heart of the resurgence, and it was the former who was first to touch down under the posts, Gary Warvill converting. With John Gascoigne producing an all-action performance at hooker, Peters notched another just before the break, to reduce the deficit to a more manageable 23 points.

The second half saw the scoring rate continue, as defences flagged in the sunshine and attacking rugby was rewarded. Tries were exchanged as Neil Brading and Brett Evans scored for the IW, but now the home side began to win a greater share of the possession. Improved ball retention through the phases yielded gaps in the visiting defence, as tries by Jerome Caccia and Warvill left the score at 47-40 with 15 minutes to play.

Streatham & Croydon responded well to the erosion of their lead, scoring two tries to extend their advantage. Evans’s second try kept the Island within reach, but the hosts scored their tenth try with five minutes left to finish the game as a contest. It was fittingly left to Nick Puckett, playing his final game for the IW before retirement, to complete the scoring. Warvill finished with six conversions. IW: Warvill, Horton, Brading, Peters, Harley, N Puckett, Evans, Jennings, Gascoigne, Newnham, Greedy, Leahy, Caccia, Paisley, Preston, Lilly.

IWRFC 75 v Farnborough 37 - 09/04/11

What a response to the need for a result to maintain their Hampshire one status. With a near strength side, warm conditions and a determination to succeed the Island took on a Farnborough team who have shown good form of late.

Early signs showed the nerves as early turn over and quick recycled ball led to the visitors taking an early lead with a converted try. The Islands reply was a well taken line out, drive and recycle and Dan Taylor crashing over. Gareth Paisley adding the conversion.

Farnborough showed early dominance in the scrum and at close quarter driving, and it was this strength that took the visitors back in to the lead. The Island seemed to get the better of the line outs throughout and used these to launch their attacks. One such leading to Brett Evans first score of the day. Paisley added the conversion and followed that with a penalty.

Again the strong forward play by Farnborough saw them pull level. The Island now seemed to gain equality in the scrums, and a 5 metre scrum was recycled on two occasions for Andy White to power over, Paisley adding the kick. This was followed rapidly when a Neil Brading kick was chased and the visitors defence were caught, the ball turned over and Evans added his second.

Farnborough replied with two scores before half time, resulting in a 29 to 27 lead for the home side. The Island were in no mood to let this slip. Refocused after a half time chat saw them turn up the pace of the game and began a seven try rout of the visitors to close out the game. Taylor first claimed his second, with the kick added. A Nick Puckett interception was completed after recycle ball led to Evans scoring his hat trick.

Continued pressure, stopped on two occasions on the visitors line, saw White add his second. A ¾ break out from their own half allowed ruck ball to be popped to prop Dean Jennings to score, the kick again added. Number 8 Ed Lynch was rewarded for his continuous pressure on the opposition as he charged down a kick and pounced on the loose ball to score. Evans added his fourth then his fifth as the Island added forty one unanswered points. As the home side tired Farnborough used their forwards to control close ball and were rewarded with two tries.

But the Island were to have the last say in the game as, aptly in his last game, Nick Puckett crashed over to conclude the scoring. All players should be proud of the resilience and determination shown to produce this performance to keep them in Hampshire one.

IWRFC: S Tyson, A Lillington, D Taylor, N Puckett, G Paisley, N Brading, B Evans, E Lynch, J Nicholls, J Curran, A White, A Thomas, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, C Williams, N Harrison, J Caccia.

IWRFC 2nd XV 19 v Millbrook 2nd XV 50 - 09/04/11

The Isle of Wight second string completed their league campaign in sixth position, suffering a comprehensive defeat to Millbrook, who ensured their status as league champions at sunny Wootton Rec.

Boasting a squad of 25 players, the hosts were optimistic of a good showing, but were overpowered in the first half. They were unfortunate that Millbrook firsts did not have a fixture and that their seconds were stronger than usual as a result, but there was no denying the power and pace with which the visitors put the IW to the sword. The opening try came inside five minutes, and it was 21-0 before the home side saw any meaningful possession.

Errors had blighted the IW’s early use of the ball, but a blindside break by Gary Warvill pierced the Millbrook defence and allowed the supporting Ali Gates to crash over. Kieran Leahy added the extras, but Millbrook’s response was swift with an immediate try. A further try was added on the stroke of halftime, to leave the scoreline at 33-7.

The IW also struggled with injuries in the forwards in the first half, losing Charles Courtney and Sam Lock. However, some reshuffling of their ranks helped towards a much more even contest in the second half. Jack Preston and Colman Cotter strove manfully at the base of the scrum, while Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Aidan Bryan also made an impression. Millbrook added a penalty early in the half, but saw their efforts to add further tries repelled, as the IW defence dug deep.

Parity in possession remained difficult for the IW to maintain, but they now showed the ability to break down the Millbrook defence, as the influential Warvill outpaced the cover for the IW’s second try. James Flux converted, but Millbrook responded in kind minutes later, and added another to bring up their half-century with ten minutes to go.

It was heartening that the IW managed the final score of the game, combining pace, ambition and slick handling to allow Flux to race clear and score. The final whistle sounded immediately after the unsuccessful conversion, as the IW congratulated Millbrook on their title success and looked forward to next season.

Tomorrow (Saturday), the IW host Haslemere in a friendly at Wootton Rec. Kickoff is at 2 pm. IW: Leahy, Collinson, Gates, Dalchow, Horton, Warvill, Cotter, Frost-Jones, Love, Boulter, C Courtney, Merry, D Gilpin, Lock, Preston. Replacements: S Flux, Reid, J Flux, Bryan, Wright, Clark, Greedy, Insley, Downer, Lilly.

IWRFC 24 v Sandown & Shanklin 2nds 26 - 04/04/2011

A local derby match that showed how two old rivals can produce expansive and open rugby, compete for every ball and come off the pitch with mutual respect. With the Island needing a run out ahead of their vital league match at the weekend, Sandown came to Wootton Rec aiming to win the second encounter between the sides this year. Just as in the first it was to prove a close and entertaining match.

Early advantage went to the visitors as a drive from their line led to Chris Perfect crashing over. This woke the Island up and their pressure created turn over ball, yet Hurricanes defence kept them at bay.

It was from another line, stolen by the Island, that led to a strong run by centre Ali Gates and the momentum was maintained as James Curran picked to score, with Neil Brading adding the kick.

The home side then seemed to lose focus as a strong run by Alex Hiscock took the visitors ahead, with Tom Monks adding the conversion.

It was now that the Island pack started to gain the upper hand, and attacking from scrum ball, down the back line and then recycled allowed Ed lynch to pull the sides level. With the game all square, everything was to play for in the second half. An island driving maul led to Martin Newnham scoring, with Brading adding the kick. This seemed to galvanise the home side and continued forward pressure was rewarded when Brett Evans scored.

The Hurricanes were not to be outdone and back came the response with Adam Tyas finishing off some sustained pressure. Monks again on target for the extra points.

With minutes to go, Simon Mayne ran at gaps in open play to score the decisive try. Yet pressure was on the kick, and Monks again obliged.

Both sides can take much out of this game with the style of rugby they were attempting to play and the youth potential on show, with the Island fielding their youngest side for a number of years.

Next week the Island face their last league game of the season against Farnborough knowing that a result would keep them above Southampton and the likelihood of remaining in Hampshire 1. Kick off at 3pm at Wootton Rec.

IWRFC: S Tyson, A Lillington, J Collinson, A Gates, J Caccia, N Brading, B Evans, E Lynch, J Nicholls, J Curran, N Harrison, A Thomas, D Jennings, M Newnham, I Puzey, C Courtney, B Frost-Jones.

Sandown: S Perfect, A Tyas, T Eldridge, J Misleback, C Perfect, M Barrett, A Gough, N Healan, M Cooper, R Edmonds, A Hiscock, A Morey, M Jones, S Ayres, T Monks, H Booth, S Routledge, T Borrer, L Berry, S Maine

Southsea Nomads 2nds 20 v IWRFC 2nds 3 - 02/04/11

A makeshift Isle of Wight second team gave a spirited performance in defeat at Portsmouth University playing fields.

In spring sunshine, the Island played with a slight breeze in the first half, but were under pressure for the first 10 minutes, defending well but being undone by a clever crosskick which bounced favourably for the home side. THe conversion was missed, and the Island relished the opportunity to get their hands on the ball and put some phases together.

The IW scrum was functioning well as the front row of Josh Wright, Tom Love and Andy Brown prospered, while Lymington Precision Engineers man of the match Nathan Proud was industrious at scrum-half. Nomads’ defence was firm, but they did concede a penalty which captain Kieran Leahy kicked accurately from 45 metres to narrow the gap to 5-3.

As the first half wore on, the IW began to take over, establishing territory and testing the Nomads rearguard repeatedly. Wingers Ian Rock and James Horton almost outflanked the defence on separate occasions, but good cover defence foiled them. Debutant James Flux also impressed at centre with some strong running, but there were no more additions to the scoreboard before half-time.

The game remained in the balance for most of the second half, though there was a marked shift in territorial dominance, as Nomads spent most of their time in the Island half. They had numerous substitutes to freshen up their ranks, but the Island only had the bare fifteen, and lost experienced centre Will Peters to a blood injury for 10 minutes. The visitors’ defence was courageous, but a key moment came as Nomads crossed for a second try on 60 minutes.

In an effort to bridge the gap, the IW now had to take more chances from inside their own half. One Andy Puckett break threatened to kickstart a revival, but Nomads continued to control possession and territory, scoring two tries in the last ten minutes to put a misleading slant on the scoreline.

Tomorrow (Saturday) the Island firsts conclude their league campaign, needing to beat Farnborough at home to be certain of their Hampshire One status next season. The second team host Millbrook. Both games kick off at Wootton Rec at 3 pm. IW: Leahy, Rock, Flux, Peters, Horton, Harley, Proud, Wright, Love, Brown, A Puckett, Reid, Grover, Payne, Greedy.